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Honey Bbq Sauce

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sauces & condiments•bbq sauce•american•contains fish, not vegan
20 minutes•12 servings (2 tablespoons each)•

Ingredients

  • 2 cups ketchup
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar (55g)
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 tsp ground mustard
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
Honey BBQ Sauce

Instructions

  1. 1.

    In a medium saucepan, whisk together the ketchup, honey, apple cider vinegar, and water until smooth.

  2. 2.

    Whisk in the brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, ground mustard, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and kosher salt until evenly combined.

  3. 3.

    Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to low and simmer until glossy and slightly thickened, 10–15 minutes; the sauce should coat the back of a spoon and bubble slowly.

  4. 4.

    Taste and adjust seasoning if needed with a touch more vinegar for tang, honey for sweetness, or a pinch of salt.

  5. 5.

    Let cool 10 minutes; the sauce will thicken further as it cools. Use warm for glazing or cool to room temperature and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Honey BBQ sauce is a thick, glossy barbecue sauce that balances deep sweetness from honey with tangy vinegar and gentle heat. It clings beautifully to grilled or smoked meats, creating a lacquered finish that’s sticky and satisfying. The flavor is rounded with warm spices and subtle smokiness, making it versatile for basting, dipping, or tossing with wings and nuggets.

Rooted in the broad American barbecue tradition, this style builds on the ketchup-based, tomato-forward sauces popularized in the Midwest and beyond. As backyard grilling grew in the late 20th century, honey emerged as a favored sweetener for its mellow flavor and caramelizing properties. Today, honey BBQ sauce is a staple in home kitchens and barbecue joints alike, appreciated for its approachable, crowd-pleasing profile and reliable performance on the grill.